Hundreds of kids surround me. Tiny, stick-figured people all 5 feet and under. Not an ounce of body fat on their frames. Hair wet and chlorine damaged. We’re at a swim meet together. They’re doing just what kids their age do: race about once a month and hope they’ll get best. I, on the other hand, have only goal.

Try and make Nationals-- in Honolulu-- qualifying times.

Make that two goals: and not look like a fool, while the kids out-swim me. I succeeded in the first, but failed-- and miserably-- in the second. 13-year-olds schooling me is downright embarrassing.